A Supermarine naval fighter concept was pushed aside as the Air Ministry concentrated the company on the Spitfire and home air defense. That decision contributed to the Fleet Air Arm's later reliance on larger two-seat fighters, although a single-seat fighter was wanted for fleet air defense and additional crew served long-range navigation needs. The gull-wing aircraft shown is a concept prototype with fixed landing gear, rather than a finished carrier fighter. In the counterfactual, an immediate naval war could preserve or accelerate the program. Supermarine's interwar business supplying naval aircraft also gives the company an established relationship with the Royal Navy.
Notable Point · 34:32-39:59
The Fleet Air Arm's interrupted single-seat fighter program
Concentrating Supermarine on home air defense interrupted naval fighter development; a war in Asia could give carrier aviation a stronger procurement claim.